Ecology & Design
Ecodesign, Ecological Design, Design for Environment(DFE), Environmentally-Conscious Design... is a way of designing products with a view to eliminating or minimizing environmental impacts across the entire life cycle: starting with concepts meeting real needs and usability aspects, to well chosen materials and production processes, to operation, reparability and end-of-life.
Design has a big influence on the environmental impact of products that is often overlooked.
Once a better product penetrates the market it always sets new standards for its competitors. A good design not only increases a product's efficiency, value and suitabilty to needs but also helps businesses to realize higher profits. This is not achieved only through higher sales but through material reduction, lower production costs, compliance with governmental restrictions and regulatory enforcements,...
According to leading Sustainability Consultancies designers have more potential to slow environmental degradation than politicians, economists and businesses.
We take our responsibility seriously and aspire to lead you to the best and environmentally sound solution with a minimized environmental impact!
WHAT WE DO:
1) We follow the principles of Ecodesign
MATERIAL CHOICE:
> favour renewable/ recycled materials
> use local ressources
> avoid material derived from endangered animal or plant species
> congruence between material value , product value and lifespan
> design appropriate for the specific material
MATERIAL-EFFICIENT DESIGN:
> Reduce material inputs
> Lightweight construction
> Simplification (=reduce to essential functions)
> multifunctional design if applicable
LOW-POLLUTION DESIGN:
> Select low-polluting materials,
> minimize toxic substances in use and end-of-life phase
> reduce energy consumption in production and operation
> reduce volume and weight for less transport emissions
> reduce transport to a minimum, produce locally
> design packaging appropriate to logistical requirements
> Avoid one-way products
DURABLE DESIGN:
> design for long-term use: modern but not fashionable design
> use of high-value, repairable materials
> repair and maintenance-friendly design,
RECYCLING/DISPOSABLE -FRIENDLY DESIGN:
> design for easy dismantling
> reduce materials diversity
> use recycling friendly materials
> avoid composite materials
> use biodegradable materials, if applicable
2) Produce locally!
Our close relationships to local manufacturers puts us in the favourable position where we can offer you competitive prices without the hassles of dealing with language barriers, inadequate quality standards and huge transfer distances.
We compare prices regularly and experience that producing locally doesn't have to come with higher costs, and gives us a better influence on the outcome.
China is not always the cheapest solution but often the cheapest result!
3) Eco Materials
Through an intense cooperation with Best Practice Plastics and other suppliers we have the chance to foster environmentally sound materials:
> use high quality recycled plastics 100% collected and processed in Australia.
> use biodegradable materials whenever applicable
> always use the best suitable material for your application
> use renewable resources like bamboo, starch,...
We always keep up to date with current material developments, are constantly researching alternatives and are always keen to share our knowledge with you!
4) Plastic samples
In cooperation with Best Practice Plastics we are developing a playful tool for designers, producers and businesses to facilitate the process of the right material choice.
The samples come in different sets:
standard plastics - engineering grade plastics - sustainable plastics
and provide you with a deeper insight into plastics and make it easy to physically experience the differences.
The sample lets you compare essential material properties like:
> elasticity
> shrinkage
> surface finishes
> clipping performance
> different wall thicknesses
But most important it targets to open your minds to more environmentally sound options.
Therefore we attach a data card showing its main properties, suggestions for common applications and a list of environmental facts supported by a simple colour system, so you can see its environmental impact at a glance, followed by a short explanation telling you why you should (or shouldn't) choose this material for environmental reasons.
You like that project? To bring it to reality we are currently looking for partners to share the tooling costs.
This is your chance as (for example) plastic producer to get in firsthand contact with those people who decide which material is used.
Your name and logo shows up on the data sheet and the sample itself.
This provides you with a cheap marketing tool you don't have to care about. It works by itself as it becomes an indispensable tool for decision makers.